Mental Health Practitioner

Job summary

Mental Health Practitioner Band 6. 12 month secondment opportunity.

Forensic Outreach Liaison Service for people with learning disabilities and/or Autism (FOLS LD/A)

Are you a nurse or allied health professional interested in forensic community care?

Are you passionate about supporting individuals with a learning disability and/or autism to live safer, fuller lives?

Do you have experience or an interest in supporting individuals who present with behaviours that could result in contact with the criminal justice system?

Would you like the opportunity to transfer your skills and develop in community forensics.

If that sounds like you, we would love to welcome you to FOLS LD/A.

Since launching in 2019, as a tertiary service, FOLS has continued to grow into a forward-thinking, specialist service, supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who are at risk of entering, or already involved in, the criminal justice system.

This is a role where your work will have real impact - helping individuals, families, and systems come together to reduce risk, build strengths, and create meaningful change.

As an MHP in FOLS you would hold a caseload of individuals with needs across our six core functions: forensic risk assessment, risk focused intervention, case management of the most complex cases, training and support, advice and consultation, and transition support from secure settings.

FOLS is a 9-5, Monday to Friday service.

Main duties of the job

You will have a passion for working with adults whose life experiences have often led to the development of harmful coping styles, including causing significant harm to others.

You will be able to hold empathy whilst also objectively assessing risk, and being able to communicate this sensitively with the person themselves, and their professional and personal network

You will have access to meaningful supervision and robust MDT structures, whilst working autonomously with your diary and caseload management. You will be supported in your continuous professional development via formal training and joint working / skill sharing with our experienced MDT members.

Curious? Lets have a conversation

We know roles like this are unique, so I would really encourage an informal chat if you're interested.

Nicola Hanlon - Team Manager, FOLS LD/A

Nicola.Hanlon@swyt.nhs.uk. Mobile - 07901 520635

As this is a 12-month secondment opportunity please seek authorisation from your current manager before applying.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

• Date posted: 06 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
• Contract: Secondment
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9378-F0731
• Job locations: Newton Lodge, Fieldhead Hospital, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 3SP, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

Has continuing responsibility for the provision of skilled interventions to people with mental health needs within a community setting. Works within a multi-disciplinary team as a member of the

Forensic Community Team and wider Forensic pathway.

Key Result Areas:

Management of own caseload in line with C.P.A. procedures and risk management protocols.

Provision of leadership to the Forensic Community Team in respect of psycho-social interventions to people and their carers in line with national and local practice standards e.g. NICE

• Supervision and support of other team members.
• Participation in service development and clinical governance structures.

Professional:

Assesses needs and identifies problems relevant to the care of people referred.

Devises a plan of care in partnership with the person and carers.

Implements the planned programme of care to ensure a high standard is achieved.

Reviews the effectiveness of the care provided and where appropriate initiates any action.

Advises and supports the person and carers to promote health and well-being and to prevent illness.

Recognises situations that may be detrimental to the health and well-being of the person and initiates action that may be required.

Establishes and maintains satisfactory communication with all agencies involved in the persons care in both hospital and community.

Functions as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

Management of enquiries and direct referrals of people in accordance with Enhanced team operational Policy and participates in the team duty rota.

Maintain professional registration and demonstrate commitment to statutory codes of practice and continued professional development requirements.

Responsible for acting up in the absence of the team leader

Administrative:

1. Maintains accurate patient care records in accordance with professional codes of conduct and trust procedures and ensures records are made available when required by the appropriate agency.

2. Participates in the formulation of policies at unit level.

3. Maintains accurate mileage records.

4. Manages caseload with due economy of cost and time.

5. Ensures safe carriage, storage and administration of drugs prescribed (registered nurses only).

6. Responsible for the ordering of stock with due economy.

7. Produces monthly statistics in line with trust directives.

8. Keeps the Management Team and colleagues informed of developments relevant to the area of responsibility.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).